中译英策略与方法(二十七)
2024-07-16鲍川运
做好翻译的第一步是准确理解原文,这是翻译过程中最基本的一个步骤,但也是不容易掌握的一步,问题就是很多情况下理解止乎于表层意义,感性上理解了,但其内涵还是模糊的,容易纠结于某个词表层意思的翻译。这种情况在从母语译入外语的时候最容易出现,主要原因是对母语已经有了先入为主的印象,往往就不再仔细地琢磨其内涵,注意力会直接放在具体词语的翻译上,在感性理解的基础上进行翻译。如果外语的语感不强,感觉不到译文的不当,往往就会出问题。因此,对翻译认知的理念和方法,在宏观层面的讨论是必要的,但是在具体操作的层面也不可忽视。这一期我们继续讨论常用动词的翻译方法。
1. 配套
《现代汉语词典》第7版关于“配套”的基本释义是:把若干相关事物结合成一整套。从具体使用的角度来看,也有进一步的意思,即事物与环境和条件相互协调,或者提供相关的设施或服务,满足人们的需要。先看看配套的基本含义:“把若干相关事物结合成一整套”。
孩子们正在帮年迈的父母找一个配套设施齐备的养老院。
The children are searching for a nursing home with all the necessary amenities for their aging parents.
中国利用外资的优势是很明显的,中国有完善的产业配套能力,而且还有14亿人口的大市场。
China has obvious strengths as a destination of foreign direct investment, with its complete and comprehensive industrial systems and a huge domestic market of 1.4 billion people.
团队制定综合配套改革总体方案,用了整整六个月时间。
The team spent a full six months developing a master plan for integrated and comprehensive reform.
汽车产业配套能力是汽车产业发展的重要基础。
A complete supply chain is an important foundation for the growth of the automobile industry.
这几个例句中,“配套”符合其基本释义,“把若干相关事物结合成一整套”,应该是对结果的一个描述,各方面的内容形成一个“配套”的整体。“配套设施齐备”,重点是各种设施齐备;“产业配套能力”,也就是产业链比较完备;配套改革,也就是各种改革措施相互配合、全面改革的意思。在这些句子里,“配套”基本表达“全面”或 “一整套”的意思,因此对应地将“配套”的字面意思翻译出来不容易,也没有必要。再看看下面这些例句:
他宴请客人用的餐具十分华贵,台布也是配套的。
He used expensive tableware for the dinner in honor of his guests, and the tablecloth matched perfectly.
很多客户买了车,还要买与之配套的行李箱。
Many people bought a car, and the matching suitcase to go with it.
我们公司不大,但是产品质量稳定,为多家大公司配套供货。
As a small company, we make products with consistent quality, and we are a supplier to many large companies.
他本来想在这个小镇建厂,但是因为距离配套产业太远,技工不好找而作罢。
He wanted to build his factory in this small town, but had to abandon the idea because it was a little too far from his suppliers and skilled workers were difficult to come by.
金融部门下一阶段的改革需要彻底解决中小企业发展的金融配套问题,扶持中小企业长期发展。
As the financial sector moves into the next phase of its reform, it is imperative to find a permanent solution to the funding challenges of SMEs, thereby facilitating their long-term growth.
开发区通过企业所得税优惠政策、技术资金配套支持等措施,鼓励外商投资。
The development zone encourages foreign investment through measures such as preferential policies for corporate income tax and separate funding support for technology.
目前积极推动的是以建立农村社会保障制度为重点的配套改革。
Vigorous (Additional) reform efforts are being made to establish a rural social security system.
这些例句里面的“配套”,似乎都有一个“配套”的对象,与之协调,或提供支持。这是“配套”的另外一层意思。同一个动词,在用法上有不同的层面,意思各有侧重,因此需要根据具体语境采用不同的表述方法。
2. 配合
《现代汉语词典》第7版关于“配合”的释义是:各方面分工合作来完成共同的任务。对这个词的内涵,基本可以理解为“合作”,因此在翻译理解方面一般不会有什么问题,但根据具体语境,翻译的表述方法可以多种多样。
我们小组领到的任务很艰难,团队成员之间要好好配合,才能完成这项任务。
Our group was given a tough job, and we had to work together seamlessly before we could pull it off.
这个项目你们是主力,我们尽力配合你们。
You guys are taking the lead on this project, and we’re here to support you in any way we can.
这个球队球员的水平比较平均,但善于打配合。
The players may not be individually the most skilled, but they play exceptionally well as a team.
他们一个唱红脸,一个唱白脸,两个人配合默契。
They are playing good cop and bad cop, and they seem to be doing a very good job at it.
家长要配合学校,培养孩子的学习兴趣和习惯。
For the children to develop a love of learning, parents and schools need to work together.
王导一点架子没有,跟粉丝拍照非常配合。
Director Wang is a humble person, and happily poses in photos with fans.
这个项目虽然资金已经到位,但具体的实施还需要地方政府的配合。
The project is funded, but we still need the local government on board for its implementation.
生了病不可怕,只要树立起战胜疾病的信心,积极配合治疗和护理,就能够早日康复。
It is not the end of the world if you fall ill. You will be back on your feet in no time if you stay confident and follow the doctor’s advice in your treatment.
上面例句中的“配合”,有些用cooperate或者work together当然也没有问题,但有时候也不用紧扣字面的意思,通过句子结构和情景的配合,采用不同的措辞也能把“配合”的内涵表述清楚。
3. 围绕
《现代汉语词典》第7版对“围绕”的解释是:以某个问题或事情为中心。在具体使用时,“围绕”常常用于事件或活动的主题或焦点,也可以说明行动或计划的目标或目的,例如:
小说围绕一个爱情故事展开。
The novel develops around a love story.
会议围绕第四季度的销售任务进行了热烈的讨论。
The meeting had a heated discussion on (around) the sales targets for the fourth quarter.
今后两年我们要围绕节能减排做一篇大文章。
We will implement ambitious plans for energy conservation and emission reduction for the next couple of years.
警察正在围绕这个事件展开深入调查。
The police are conducting a thorough investigation into this incident.
小组成员要围绕百姓利益开展专题调研,加强民生监督。
Members of the group need to conduct investigations focused on livelihood so that they can more effectively exercise oversight in the interest of people’s welfare.
紧紧围绕高质量发展这个首要任务,全力以赴抓项目、拓市场、稳增长。
We will spare no efforts in improving project delivery, developing new market, and ensuring stable growth, all for the ultimate goal of high-quality development.
他率领一个科研小组围绕“人工智能发展生产力”进行研发。
He is leading a research team to investigate the potential of AI in driving productivity.
这些句子中的“围绕”对象都是事件的主题或焦点。另外,“围绕”也可以表示人与人之间的关系:
回到家乡,和家人围绕在一起,感到非常治愈。
It was such a heart-warming experience to be back home and spend time with my family.
他从小生活在一个大家庭里,被浓浓的亲情围绕着。
He was bathed in love growing up in a big family.
退休的他很寂寞,没有文件看,没有会议开,也没有人围绕在身边。
He feels lonely as he begins his retired life, with no files to read, no meetings to attend, and no one around him.
4. 激发
《现代汉语词典》第7版关于“激发”的解释是:刺激使奋发。与之比较对应的英文动词应该是stimulate,或者inspire。可以与“激发”搭配使用的名词很多,但总体上来看,可以从过程或者结果的角度去理解。先看看以动作或过程为主的例句:
人工智能的发展,激发了人们对人类社会发展的极大想象力。
AI has greatly ignited people’s imagination of future societies.
校长的话不多,但说得有力,却大大激发了学生们的学习热情。
The principal didn’t say much, but his words were powerful and greatly inspired the students’ passion for learning.
第一阶段研究顺利完成,激发了团队对提前完成任务的信心。
The first phase of research was a success, which has boosted the team’s confidence in completing the project ahead of schedule.
要激发经营主体活力,持续提振市场信心。
Continuous efforts need to be made to stimulate business vibrancy and enhance market confidence.
向海图强,激发蓝色经济新动能。
We will take actions to explore maritime resources and create a blue economy as a new driver to development.
这几句的结构都与“激发”的动宾结构对应,表述了一个动作过程,但具体的选词根据不同的语境有所变化。再看看下面几个例句:
全心投入自己喜欢做的事情中,可以激发难以想象的潜能。
Pouring your heart into your passions will bring out your potential in unexpected ways.
困难的时候,暴露了人性的弱点,也激发了人们的美德。
Tough times bring out the worst and the best in human beings.
他的行为极大地激发了公众的愤慨。
What he did has angered the public immensely.
这几个例句中,虽然也是verb + object的动宾结构,但表述的不是动作过程,而是直接描述“激发”造成的结果。
再看看下面几句:
用这些颠覆性的思维模式能够激发我们的创造力和创新思维。
We will be more creative and innovative in our thinking if we choose to think out of the box.
很多人这本书第一章还没看完,感情就激发出来了。
Many people got excited about the book before they had even finished the first chapter.
飞人博尔特的表现激发了他一腔热血,但现实又是很残酷的。
He felt a surge of ambition as he watched Usain Bolt’s great performance, but reality proved that was too high a bar to reach.
新政策出台,激发了大学毕业生创新创业积极性。
With the new policy in place, there is now a greater enthusiasm among college graduates for innovation and entrepreneurship.
这几句的处理方式与上面又有不同,是通过结构形式表示“激发”的因果关系,没有采用对应的动宾结构。当然,这只是为了表明采用其他翻译方式的可能性,并不是说这种情况下一定不能使用动宾结构。
* 美国明德大学蒙特雷国际研究学院高级翻译学院教授,本刊顾问。